The main body of an AC; is a rigid structure on which the AC components- e.g. wing, tail, engine, etc.- are mounted.

Nose

The forward section of an AC; it includes the flightdeck where the captain and first officer sit.

Nacelle

The protective covering surrounding the AC engine.

Aileron

The hinged portion on the trailing edge of the wing; it raises and lowers to control the rolling motion of the AC.

Flaps

The hinged portion of the wing located on the trailing edges. They cover the section of the wing from the fuselage to the aileron. They provide additional lift to compensate for the slower air speeds associated with landing.

Elevators

Movable control surfaces hinged to the horizontal stabilizer, which control pitch or position of the nose of the AC relative to the horizon.

Rudder

Located on the tail section, this controls the left to right movement of the AC ("yaw").

Horizontal Stabilizer

Located in the tail section, contributes to the AC's stability. This can be adjusted to align the AC's flight path angle according to existing wind conditions.

Vertical Stabilizer

Located in the tail section, contributes to the AC's stability. Allows for additional control.

Landing Gear

The understructure which is made up of the nose and main gears. Retractable gear folds up in the AC in flight.

Empennage / Tail Section

Consists of the rudder, various tabs, vertical and horizontal stabilizer, and elevator.

Slats

Located on the forward edge of the wing, are usually found on jet aircraft. They give the aircraft additional lift on takeoff for short runways and help reduce airspeed for landing.

Pitch

Moving the nose of the AC up and/or down in respect to the horizon; climb or descent.

Roll

The motion of the AC when one wing moves up and the other moves down during a bank or turn.